Happy Anniversary to us. Holy smokes, it’s been three years since we opened our doors. What a long strange trip it’s been. I sat here for the first six months wondering what the heck I was doing, trying to figure out what my backup plan was, and trying to convince customers to order bikes because we did not believe in over-stocking bikes. Sitting here contemplating the lst three years, I know exactly what we did, and it has nothing to do with sales:
-We made hundreds and hundreds of new friends.
-We organically created a communal family of Sunday Cycles customers we now call family.
-We donated tens of thousands to the Tour De Cure for Diabetes
-We worked hand in hand with our customers to help donate over 175 bikes to needy kids and families
-We have free of charge, helped create, implement, and oversaw two cycling events for local schools that netted them upwards of $10000.00 to be used for sports equpment, etc.
-We fed and “hydrated” cyclists at races statewide for free
-We donated almost $500.00 to Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park
-We created a reputation for quality, integrity, passion, and fairness
-We sponsored a state championship MTB race
-We never turned down anyone knocking on our door for a charitable need, be it a tube, or a tune-up
-We implemented a parts recycling program and are proud to make bi-weekly trips to the Rusty Spoke co-op to help them re-purpose used bike parts
-We donated hundreds of tires, hundreds of tubes and countless patch kits to individuals and groups riding cross country to help raise money and awareness for great causes
-We co-chaired the Tour De Paradise
-We hosted free hot to clinics and offered unique experiences for our customers to hear from cyclists who have done extraordianry things
-We dared to do thing differently, demand a good time, and be unique.

I am so damn proud of the mark we have made. if it all ended tomorrow, i can say I am proud of our efforts.

Thank you humbly for your business, I am blown away with your loyalty, please tell a friend, and continue to shop local,
Joe

Arizona to Mexico fat bike adventure world premiere on Pinkbike.com

Fans, the day has finally come. I am so excited to share with you the full length video world premiere of my fat bike adventure through Mexico last December. It is being featured on pinkbike.com right now. Filmed by our friend and action photographer Devon Balet from Devon Balet Media, this trip was an epic four day adventure that will never be forgotten. Sunday Cycles own Joe Berman, along  Dirty from Drunkcyclist.com and pro mountain bike racer Travis McMaster this was truly a Mexillent adventure aboard Surly Bikes and Salsa Cycles with Osprey Packs, KEEN, LOUIS GARNEAU, CONTOUR cameras. Enjoy the world premiere and leave us your thoughts and comments below.

About five years ago, my dad got a hankering to join me in the El Tour De Tucson. I had already signed up for the century ride, and I agreed to have him join me for the 35-mile adventure. What the hell was I thinking—and what was he thinking? He was a full-blown Parkinson’s victim with tremors, bad balance, early onset dementia—the whole nine yards. But how would I tell him no—and who was I to tell him no? He was told by his doctors that he shouldn’t try to ride a bike, that his lack of balance made it dangerous. Thankfully he disregarded their warnings and my concerns, as the bike proved to be what kept him “alive” until the disease got the best of his next chapter.

I knew riding my road bike would prove to be a challenge at the speed I anticipated, so I bought myself a big fat beach cruiser with huge 24×4? tires and ape hangers. Dad needed a bike too, so I got him a classic 27-speed comfort bike. He never shifted, said he hated it and it was too complicated, yet he latched on to that bike with love, riding the wheels off of it for the next few months, never taking a ride longer than a few miles, but loving the independence and benefits cycling gave him—a brief respite from his Parkinson’s.

Flash forward to the big day. Dad’s Parkinson’s was in high gear. His balance was horrible, his nerves were kicking, his tremors were heavy, and his muscles were very rigid. It was not looking good. Plus, being stubborn as can be and a little crazy from dementia, Pops had already been in his helmet for five hours prior to the ride.

Dad was helpless and slow as we approached the start. I had to push both bikes up to the crowded staging area. We waited in the back of the pack to avoid clustering. When the crowd took off, Dad couldn’t even get his leg over his bike. I tried to help him and was joined by a nice stranger who saw what was going on. She and I grabbed his rigid leg and swung it over his bike, then together, we grabbed either side of him and ran with him until he was launched almost balance-less toward the crowd ahead. I ran back and grabbed my bike and quickly rejoined him.

He never said a word as he rode. Never stopped at an aid station—probably for fear of not getting back on or off the bike without injury. Never drank a sip of water. Never acknowledged anyone. I rode next to him on the climbs and shifted gears for him in order to make it more bearable.

Our pace was incredibly slow by the halfway point but he kept on pushing. At one point, about five miles from the finish, spectators and emergency staff were getting concerned by his appearance. People were approaching me asking if he was okay as we rode by. At one point I was about twenty feet behind him, and someone asked as I rode by if the old man in front of me was okay, to which I replied, “He’s better than okay, he’s amazing!”

Finally, with the finish line in our sights, I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of what we had done. We finished, he finished, it was finished—we did it. We were in with the last of the last, and it took us a grueling five hours to complete the 35-mile ride, but we did it.

As we got to the finish line, I helped my cold, clammy, sweaty, rigid hero off his bike and onto the curb. He hung his head and stared at the pavement. My eyes were drenched with tears. “Dad, I am so proud of you,” I said in awe. Moments later—and still wearing that damn helmet—he looked up at me and said, “I just couldn’t let you down.”

By far, that was one of the best moments of my life, shared with the man I love the most, doing the thing I love the most.

That was the last time I rode with my dad, since his health, stamina and brain have deteriorated so much. He doesn’t recognize me anymore, and I don’t know if he remembers that day, but I will—always. And I hope that one day I can look at my kids after having dug deep inside of myself to overcome my own battle and say, “I just couldn’t let you down.”

              Check out the results from that year. 974th and 975th across the line out of 978.

“Reveal The Path”

Monday July 2nd. Entrance at 7:30, starts at 8.

From the filmmakers who brought you the award-winning cycle documentary RIDE THE DIVIDE!

A visually stunning adventure by bike, REVEAL THE PATH explores the world’s playgrounds in Europe’s snow capped mountains, Scotland’s lush valleys, Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches and Morocco’s high desert landscapes. Ride along and get lost in the wonders of the world…
Enjoy the authentic locals living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading us to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant.
Filmed across four continents and featuring Tour Divide race legends, Matthew Lee & Kurt Refsnider, this immersive film is sure to ignite the dream in you.
Join in as the creators of RIDE THE DIVIDE take you on an adventure that will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to far away lands or simply to discover with eyes wide open what’s right around the bend.

Limited to 125 guests.

Monday July 2nd. Entrance starts at 7:30, show starts at 8.

$13.00 per person, includes personal pan cheese pizza. Enjoy the movie w/ 125 like minded folks in the greatest mountain bike pub in North Phx, Fatsos Pizza. This place is the real deal, with number plates and cycling pics on the walls. a huge tap selection, and PBR growlers.

REMEMBER!!! Tickets will not be available UNTIL this Monday June 18th at 10:00 am by calling 480-440-2142. Get yer friends and your designated driver together and buy tickets now. I anticipate a very quick sellout. Surprise guest now pending!! May be c:onsidering post film night ride

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE
http://revealthepath.com/e Dion:

-SALSA CYCLES and SUNDAY CYCLES-

A marriage made on the road less traveled.

Sunday Cycles now carries SALSA CYCLES. The official bike of adventurers and The Tour Divide. Come by and check out the line that is SALSA CYCLES!!!  

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish/

WHY WE CARRY SALSA BIKES

 Their tag line says it all… “Adventure by Bike”  That is what Salsa is all about and you can see it through their bikes!  That is why we love Salsa bikes… Get on one and start your adventure

HISTORY

Ross Shafer built his first road frame in Paradise, California in 1976, and continued to build them under the Red Bush banner between carpentry and bike shop jobs. He finally started building frames full-time when he got a job as head frame builder at Santana Cycles. During that time, he built his first off-road bike (1981) using 650 B wheels.

After a year at Santana, Shafer turned his frame building skills to mountain bikes. Subsequently, Salsa Cycles was born with six custom built bikes utilizing personalized seat angles and the 71-degree head angle Shafer still uses today. His experience with riding road bikes in the dirt convinced him that a mountain bike’s ideal geometry lay somewhere between the steepness of modern road bikes and the slack angles predominant on the mountain bikes of the day.

To further enhance the proper fitting of the frames, he started making custom stems in 1982. Salsa Stems emerged in 1984 as Shafer entered the market of quality cro-moly stems and production frames. Later that year he also introduced the roller cable guide.

He produced 100 Ala Carte production frames before stopping to concentrate on manufacturing stems and producing custom frames. The mass-produced frames reappeared in 1987, due to popular demand.

He designed one of the earliest butted cro-moly handlebars in 1987, which was then made by Tru Temper, and the next year a lighter bulged version was introduced.

This was also the year he began sponsoring the first all-women mountain bike racing team and became an official supplier of stems to the U.S. Olympic team time trial squad.

Fast foward to 2011…Although he now is charged more and more with managerial duties and less with custom frame building, Shafer continues to develop new products. The new Salsa line up is wonderful example of what Salsa is, the man, and the bike.

Please help Sunday Cycles Bike Shop reach our goal for fundraising for the Tour De Cure for Diabetes. We are now only $275.00 short of our goal. The event is this Saturday. Even $10.00 will make a difference in someones life, and it is tax deductible. Step up and be a hero today. Please donate!!

Tour de Cure is a series of fund-raising cycling events held in 40 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants ride 10 miles or 100 miles*, they will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on!

Last year, more than 40,000 cyclists rode in 80 Tour events to support the mission of the ADA: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Take the Ride of Your Life.

https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=9603&FR_ID=7993&PROXY_ID=7253848&PROXY_TYPE=20&9603.donation=form1

We will be hosting the valleys largest selection of Electra accessories, a huge variety of bikes, and the service to go along with such a reputable brand.  With their patented “Flat Foot Geometry”, Electra bikes may very well be the epitome of riding an easy chair with the lightweight benefits of a bike twice its cost. Take a moment, browse their site, and let the cruising begin!!

Thanks for being a Sunday Cycles Fan!!!

I couldn’t stop thinking, “I should really get my overnight pack and ride this trail to Flagstaff sometime soon”.  As if The cycling gods heard my cry, one day later my friends from Mexico post yet another great analysis of our Mexico Fat Bike Trip.  For those that said they wanted more…………

More Mexico adventures, as seen and told by my buddy Devon Balet. Great job capturing some key moments.

http://drunkcyclist.com/2012/01/03/tuesdays-with-dirtythrough-the-lens/

We’d really love to see you next year. Please, Don’t Drink and Drive, or ride, not tonight. Imagine some yahoo swerving into your beloved fixie bar hopper and putting you face first into 2012.  Tonight’s the night for a cab my friends. The only Drunk Cyclist I want to see is at www.drunkcyclist.com.

Thanks for a Great 2011, Happy 2012 to you and your bikes!!

Ever have one of those days, some of those days, too many of those days in a row when you walk past your bikes and feel guilty?  Mere mortals can’t comprehend or understand, it’s a cyclist thing, regardless of your level.  

For me, my bikes are like my dog.  I feel a need to take em out once a day, run em around, work em til their tongue flops out of their mouths.  When I don’t, just like my dog, they just stare at me, with that sad long handlebar face, slumping tubes and all.  As if they are saying “Joe, are we going for a ride, huh, hey Joe, oh were you walking to the door, or by the door. Please, please, please, take me for a fricking ride, squirell”

Maybe it’s just me, but my bikes need to go out once a day, or they’ll poo and pee all over my house and tear all the Dirt Rag magazines up.

GET OUT AND RIDE, YOU BOTH NEED IT!!